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Israel prepares to expand Gaza ground offensive

Palestinians signalling at Israeli troopsIsraeli troops launch ground offensiveIsraeli army flares illuminates the sky above GazaAn Israeli airstrike sends up a plume of smoke in Gaza as seen from near Sderot, IsraelPalestinians inspect debris of a destroyed house following an Israeli airstrike in Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he had ordered the military to prepare for a possible significant expansion of the ground operation against Gaza militants.

Mr Netanyahu said air strikes alone could not deal a significant blow to the network of tunnels used by Hamas militants to stage cross-border attacks on southern Israel.

"Last night our forces began a ground operation to hit the terror tunnels crossing from Gaza into Israel's territory," he said.

The UN Security Council is due to meet for an emergency session this evening following the Israeli ground operation.

The meeting was called at the request of Jordan and Turkey.

Elsewhere, the EU has said it is very concerned over the escalation of violence in Gaza and has reiterated its call for an immediate ceasefire.

It welcomed the humanitarian pause agreed yesterday but has condemned the rockets fired into Israel from Gaza that ended the humanitarian truce.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan has said he expressed his concern about the violence in Gaza when he met Israeli Ambassador Boaz Modai today.

Mr Flanagan said: "I have already stated clearly that the violence now being witnessed in Gaza and Israel is unacceptable and that it is incumbent on all sides to agree an immediate ceasefire to spare civilians from further violence and suffering."